Schools College Essay Help: Jumpstarting Ideas for Early Action

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The discussion revolves around crafting a college application essay, specifically focusing on two prompts: choosing a meaningful picture or a significant statement from someone. The writer expresses difficulty in starting the essay and shares initial ideas for both prompts. For the picture, they consider using their bedroom to illustrate personal memories and identity. For the statement, they contemplate discussing the phrase "you did the right thing," exploring its philosophical implications, or a supportive rivalry with a friend centered around the phrase "good job." The writer is concerned that their ideas feel cliché and lack depth. They emphasize the importance of specificity in the essay to stand out and suggest that the essay should reflect personality and writing ability. The consensus is that focusing on the picture of the bedroom might be the stronger option, provided it is detailed and personal.
Doctor Elect
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I've never been quite sure if academic advise that is not related to science is allowed here but I'll post it here anyway.
I'm writing a college application essay. I'm having some trouble getting started. I have 4 to write but this one is the longest and most dificult.
I have a choice between
A. If you could have one picture what would it be and why?
B. What has someone said that is meaningful to you and why is it meaningful?
I don't want you to give me an idea or anything. I just need help finding a jumping off point.
All the ideas I've had have been unsatisfactory. But I will post them for the hope that perhaps I was wrong I have a golden idea.
A.
It would of my bedroom. I was going to talk about how the room has memories going back to 2nd grade and how it really shows who I am.
B
It would be "you did the right thing" then I would go into philosophical about how one can never really know if one is doing the right thing because the mind tends to want to agree with itself and how that statement is one of comfort because it confirms you are on the right path. It was supposed to show how I can be analytical.
or
I was going to talk a rivalry I have with a friend and the meaningful thing would be "good job" because we support each other even as we mock each other.
Say hello to cliche, doesn't say anything about me, and silly.
I would prefer to get it done in time for early action but I don't really care.
 
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I've never actually been on an admission committee, so I could be completely wrong, but I've always thought that this sort of essay is more a test of how well you can write and have your personality shine through than anything else. If you're willing to believe this, it sounds like A. would be your best bet.

Whichever you choose though, please be specific. Talk about a particular picture, or a particular instance when someone said something to you. You want to stand out here, and generalities just won't do that.

And of course if you don't get in, it's not my fault! :-)
 
Hey, I am Andreas from Germany. I am currently 35 years old and I want to relearn math and physics. This is not one of these regular questions when it comes to this matter. So... I am very realistic about it. I know that there are severe contraints when it comes to selfstudy compared to a regular school and/or university (structure, peers, teachers, learning groups, tests, access to papers and so on) . I will never get a job in this field and I will never be taken serious by "real"...
Yesterday, 9/5/2025, when I was surfing, I found an article The Schwarzschild solution contains three problems, which can be easily solved - Journal of King Saud University - Science ABUNDANCE ESTIMATION IN AN ARID ENVIRONMENT https://jksus.org/the-schwarzschild-solution-contains-three-problems-which-can-be-easily-solved/ that has the derivation of a line element as a corrected version of the Schwarzschild solution to Einstein’s field equation. This article's date received is 2022-11-15...

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